Where To See Santa In Evanston This Christmas Season

EVANSTON, IL — Santa Claus will be back in the Evanston area this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

Families have several chances this December in the Evanston area:

Holiday Light Celebration
5-7 p.m. Dec. 3, Fountain Square, 1601 Sherman Ave, Evanston
Santa is scheduled to be on hand for the Saturday evening tree lighting in downtown Evanston., with photo opportunities after 5:30 p.m. at The Merion, 1611 Chicago Ave.

Santa's Trolley Holiday Experience
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Dec. 24, Westfield Old Orchard
Reservations are available for up to five guests at a time, including children, with multiple opportunities for self-serve photos with Santa. Total experience time is approximately five to eight minutes. Parties of six or more are asked to make two reservations within the same half-hour timeframe.

Santa at Lincolnwood Town Center
Through Dec. 24, 3333 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood
Reservations are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome at Lincolnwood Town Center for the traditional Santa experience. Santa is available Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a break from 2-3 p.m., on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. with a break from 2:30 to 3 p.m. and on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a 1-2 p.m. break.

Visit with Santa
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11, Chalet, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
Santa will be on hand at Chalet in Wilmette and available for photos with no appointment required.

Santa's Workshop
9:30 a.m. Dec. 10, Oakton Community Center, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
Santa is set to visit with each child registered for this Skokie Park District event, with a breakfast of pancakes, sausage and pastries served as part of the workshop decoration event.

Breakfast With Santa
8:30-10:30 a.m., Dec. 3, 10, 17, Allgauer's on the Riverfront, 2855 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook
In addition to photos with Santa and a breakfast buffet, tickets include the opportunity for families to decorate their own holiday cookies.

Skate with Santa
2:10-3:40 p.m. Dec. 10, Skatium Ice Arena, 9340 Weber Park Place, Skokie
Spectators can attend free at this annual event, featuring Santa and seasonal music. Entry fees are $6 per skater and an additional $3 to rent skates.

Photos with Santa at Northbrook Court
Through Dec. 24, Northbrook Court, 1515 Lake Cook Road, Northbrook
Santa Claus will be stationed neat the Neiman Marcus for photos by appointment.

Santa's Rock N' Lights
Through Jan. 1, Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake
The pop-up event includes about 1,000 feet of dancing light tunnels, including dinosaurs, reindeer, polar bears, an obstacle course, ornament-making, ax-throwing and photos with Santa.

Santa’s Wonderland arrived last month at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, including the Gurnee Mills location at 6112 W. Grand Ave. in Gurnee, and lasts through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Orlando and Chicago, where reservations are available through Christmas Eve.

Santa is also coming to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores in Seattle and New York City. Customers elsewhere can purchase a personalized video message from a Nordstrom Santa.

JC Penney stores, including stores in Vernon Hills, Algonquin, Niles and Schaumburg, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.